Slaidburn Village and the Hodder Valley

Slaidburn is situated in a rural, beautiful but remote part of Lancashire and has traditionally had an agricultural economy, mainly based in tenanted farms with good class cattle and sheep. Mechanisation and the well known difficulties of agriculture have meant that more land and fewer workers are needed for farmers to make a reasonable living. Thus over the years farms have tended to amalgamate. Nevertheless farming is still the mainstay of the local economy but other work has had to be found.

United Utilities, who own Stocks reservoir and many of the surrounding farms, provide some direct and indirect employment as do Forest Enterprise who manage Gisburn Forest. Tourism is increasing with the encouragement of the AONB and there are a myriad of service based businesses, many in agricultural contracting but with a variety of others from hat hire to a holiday cottage letting agency. The arrival of broadband in the area makes more diversity probably in the future.

Slaidburn shares the Hodder with the Villages of Newton and Dunsop Bridge.

There are a number of holiday homes in the area and some commuters but in general terms the area is locally industrious.

SLAIBDURN VILLAGE VIEW